Southern Pacific (SP) 4449 - Lima 4-8-4

A lot of folks are out on this first Saturday in May to see UP 8444 and SP 4449 on display at LAUPT.

Is it 1989 or 1949? The daylight painted cars behind SP 4449 and the yellow cars behind UP 8444 are side by side once again at LAUPT.

The crews and passengers from both train have a chance to check out UP 8444 and SP 4449 after their long trips into LA.

UP 8444 and SP 4449 are in town to mark 50 years since the opening of Los Angeles Union Passenger Terminal.

After a long day UP 8444 and SP 4449 slowly enter LAUPT.

For just a few moments we are back in the 1940's as UP 8444 and SP 4449 roll into LAUPT.

The crowd is getting its money's worth (although the event is free) as UP 8444 and SP 4449 perform a dual arrival into LAUPT.

Runining side by side, UP 8444 and SP 4449 round the final curve as they arrive into LAUPT at the same time.

UP 8444 and SP 4449 are nose to nose while on display outside the CSRM.

SP Daylight #4449 and Pacific #2472 are displayed at the SP Santa Clara Yard for a night photo opportunity. Date approximate.

Dick Campbell photo

Close up of the Lima builder's plate, the Freedom Train plate and its "Daylight" logo. No date or photographer was listed for the photo and it's now part of my rr collection.

Great action shot of Lima built Southern Pacific 4-8-4 #4449 in its daylight colors heading up a tourist train crossing the trestle bridge at Cut Bank, MT. No date or photographer was listed for this photo unfortunately but it's still part of my rr collection.

Randy Curlin Collection

Randy Curlin Collection

Randy Curlin Collection

Unfortunately the museum was closed this day. You can barely seen SP 4449 in the window.

The Oregon Rail Heritage Center was closed this day so a through the fence and a through a window shot was the best I could get of SP 4449.

AFT 4449 lays over in Rockford Illinois during its 1975 tour. Slide processed August of 1975, photographer unknown.

SP 4449

A postcard photo of the legendary 1975 doubleheader of UP 844 and AFT 4449 flying through the Nebraska plains.

AFT 4449 has been separated from its patriotic consist and is now on display at Denver Union Station. I have no idea how the SAL E unit on the left got here. Date is approximate.

The crowd watches AFT 4449 steam out of sight as AMTK 3342 provides a nice touch on the rear.

The baggage door opening is full as the crew takes in the sights while AFT 4449 steams north.

AFT 4449 puts on a show for all the people trackside on the sunny Southern California day.

The way north is clear and AFT 4449 is making good time heading back to Portland.

AFT 4449 rolls by the single story warehouses and machine shops along the tracks in this part of Glendale.

A bit of black smoke adds the finishing touch to this classic view of AFT 4449 leaving LAUPT.

AFT 4449 makes the turn left and onto the northbound tracks. The main line going straight head east to Yuma.

AFT 4449 has crossed this bridge many times before, often in charge of the SP Coast Daylight and later other SP passenger trains.

AFT 4449 is about to pass Mission Tower and then cross over the Los Angeles River. The tracks in the foreground belong to the SP.

Shortly after the departure of the Coast Starlight AFT 4449 follows behind on it's trip back to Portland.

While we move forward the path is blocked by a LA cop (you didn't mess with LA cops in the 70's) so one very quick shot and it's time to go find a spot to capture the departure.

ATSF 2520 is on lease as the Amtrak switcher. It's crew has stopped to talk to the local white hat, who gives us the OK for one quick photo while they chat.

No one is getting out there for a closer look at AFT 4449 so it's time to come up with Plan B.

With AMTK 1157 looks on, AFT 4449 waits at LAUPT to head north as the second section of Coast Starlight.

Two "SP GS4"s in one place at one time...AFT 4449 is joined by a California license plate on a Volvo.

AFT 4449 is joined by AMTK 590 at LAUPT.

The setting sun reflects off the inside of the smokebox door of AFT 4449.

The open smokebox door of AFT 4449.

AFT 4449 undergoes some work while at Los Angeles Union Passenger Terminal (LAUPT).

Heads always turn when AFT 4449 rolls by at speed.

It's American Freedom Train duties over, AFT 4449 heads west with an Amtrak special as it makes it way back to Portland.

Randy Curlin Collection

So much for a photo line...AFT 4449 and the American Freedom Train heads east to continue it nationwide tour.

Time to leave town as AFT 4449 gets underway and we try to form a photo line.

Having started before dawn AFT 4449 still has a long day ahead of it before reaching Arizona.